"Re-thinking the meaning of elections and democracy in the continent"

THURSDAY 20 JANUARY, 6PM @ The Africa Centre

(Organnised by the Africa Centre)

 With over 17 African countries hosting presidential elections and various others holding referenda, municipal, regional, and local elections this year, 2011 is set to be a "bumper election year" for the continent.

The crowded political calendar points to a clear rise in the periodic hosting of multi-party elections. But as the current critical stand-off in Côte d'Ivoire shows us, there are clear limits to electoral politics.

In Africa, there is still an overwhelming need for 'free and fair' elections whose results are incontestable and are respected by both citizens and leaders alike. There is also a growing insistence by African voters on having a say in their governance and an increasing number of civil society organisations are putting pressure for governments to return more accountable leaders, but that is yet to be achieved.  So what is the exact relationship between elections and democratisation in the continent? Are elections a true measure of a country's state of democracy?

Our diverse panel of speakers will debate the current state of democracy in the continent, highlighting the main problems of this fragile governance system, whilst exploring the possible solutions to these. Topics that will be covered in the discussion include: the role of elections and the latter's relationship to democratisation; "replica democracy" versus democracy as a true African form of government; the role of civil society and international observers; Nigeria and Somaliland as case studies; the problem of accountable leadership; and the problems engendered by the 'winner-takes-all' first-past-the-post electoral system used in many African countries.

Panel to include:

•  Professor Stephen Chan - Professor of International Relations at SOAS

• Patrick Smith (TBC) - Editor-in-Chief of Africa Confidential and The Africa Report

• Sylvie Aboa-Bradwell - Executive Director of African People's Advocacy

• Remi Okunlola - Lawyer & Executive Director SeaWolf Oilfields 

• Vuyiswa Ngqobongwana (chair) - Writer, Broadcaster & Presenter of Africa Today (Sky channel 515)

ADDRESS: The Africa Centre, 38 King Street, London WC2E 8JT

This event is free but a £3 donation is recommended. Please RSVP to ensure your place by emailing: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please arrive for 6PM for a 6:30PM start

*Countries hosting presidential elections in 2011: Benin;  Cameroon; Cape Verde; Central African Republic; Chad; DRC; Djibouti; Egypt; The Gambia; Liberia; Madagascar; Mauritius; Niger; Nigeria; São Tomé and Príncipe; Seychelles; Uganda; Zambia; and Zimbabwe. For the full African election calendar, visit the Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa: http://www.eisa.org.za/WEP/calendar2011.htm